In the baseball diamond of the bright lights, JP Sears, a newcomer and talented pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, shines with greatness and grace. However, the A’s recent Sacramento move has fans in limbo and just wanting this to end. Having been flung out of Oakland with the stadium mess and temporary move, it raised questions of divided loyalties. It also raised questions about team longevity and raised eyebrows as to whether this new deal is sustainable. To lifelong A’s fans, it feels like a betrayal. To them, this transition might mean Sacramento will never be the home for the team.
There was a concern for the fandom of the team itself and the possible alienation of fans by taking them to a 3rd city. There was some serious doubt about whether Sacramento could house a Major League team. But here always arises a question: Is it a long-term solution? A sense of the A’s being a “lame-duck” team in Sacramento—tenants with no such things as deep roots as opposed to the permanent inhabitant became an even bigger elephant in the room.
But Sears, in that tense room, brings a measure of fresh air. Sacramento seems to strike the Sharks in positive ions, so the fanbase has levity and optimism to cling to. “Everybody was super excited to have us there as players and as a team in their city,” Sears said. It’s excellent to hear from a player of his ilk. Sacramento’s warm welcome helps offset initial fan hesitations about the team.
Sears gets at these things directly with some of his own real-life experiences in the city. “The thing I should have seen a couple of weeks ago was run down to the area, to the city, to the stadium. The renovations they made, the facilities were really nice,” he recalled. He further added, “I had never played in Sacramento, but the stadium was impressive with some of their stuff and how much they are doing. They renovate it, and we are super welcome in the city.”
“Every coffee shop and restaurant we are entering, everybody was super excited to have us there as players and as a team in their city,” Sears continued. The stadium in Sacramento incites such widespread excitement and optimism that it is in stark contrast to the initial fears. Sears has had incredibly positive experiences and connections with fans. This echoes a city looking and ready to rally around its team on its upcoming journey.
The promise of a new chapter
The surprisingly warm and enthusiastic response of Sacramento citizens gives pause to the thought of a new, diehard following. Sears’ words serve as a beacon of optimism, suggesting that this temporary relocation might have the potential to become a longer-term solution if Sacramento proves to be a good fit for the team.
The positive response from the local community in Sacramento and evidence of an upgraded stadium lend themselves to ownership eager to see this team succeed. With newfound fandom and all the support it brings, the A’s can establish a new loyal Sacramento fanbase, on which they can lean to make them feel some form of stability and hope moving forward.
However, the A’s organization needs to continue engaging with fans in both Oakland and Sacramento. The team will have to nurture its relationship and keep the lines of communication open. This helps to navigate this time of change seamlessly, keeping fan loyalty intact. Positive reactions from players like Sears matter as well in terms of building this relationship and assuring fans.
JP Sears’ narrative is more than just an athlete’s perspective; it’s a beacon of hope for A’s fans amidst uncertainty. By sharing his experiences in Sacramento, he shines a light on this idea—a new-found potential where there can be a positive fan community. What do you think about the future of the Athletics in Sacramento?
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